Award Date
1-1-2008
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Life Sciences
First Committee Member
Brian Hedlund
Number of Pages
85
Abstract
Microorganisms have traditionally been characterized based on their morphology and physiology. However, this formula does not account for the importance of a microorganism's habitat, which is intimately linked to its physiology. The Korarchaeota comprise a deeply branching archaeal lineage that has proven to be difficult to isolate and, consequently, has remained uncharacterized until recently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical and biogeographical distribution of Korarchaeota in hot springs of the Great Basin and Yellowstone National Park. Ninety-nine sediment samples were collected from hot springs with temperatures ranging from 40.7-94.3°C and pH ranging from 1.3-9.2, while recording as many coincident chemical properties as feasible. Polymerase chain reaction was used to screen samples for Korarchaeota 16S rRNA genes, and products were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. The resultant data set identified novel korarchaeal phylotypes and showed that korarchaeal phylotypes are not randomly distributed with respect to biogeography.
Keywords
Biogeography; Continental; Diversity; Geochemical; Habitat; Hot; Korarchaeota; Springs
Controlled Subject
Microbiology; Geochemistry
File Format
File Size
1751.04 KB
Degree Grantor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Language
English
Permissions
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Repository Citation
Miller, Robin Lea, "Diversity, biogeography, and geochemical habitat of Korarchaeota in continental hot springs" (2008). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 2414.
http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/6h98-vit6
Rights
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